Baby romper that converts into a container

ABSTRACT

A baby romper converts into a container through the use of an arrangement of connectors on the romper. Similar to a conventional baby romper, there are connectors located in the crotch flaps on the front and back. The inventive baby romper further includes connectors on the sleeves, the collar, the left side of the trunk, and the right side of the trunk. The connectors on the left sleeve connect with those on the left side of the trunk. Similarly, the connectors on the right sleeve connect with those on the right side of the trunk. This forms a pouch. The pouch can then be closed by connecting the connectors on the front side of the trunk in the crotch flap with those located on the collar.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/114.064, filed on Feb. 10, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Inventive techniques disclosed herein relate to garments that convert into containers.

One type of garment for very young children—e.g., toddlers or infants—is a romper. A romper may be a one-piece garment similar to that depicted in FIG. 1. As parents or caretakers may appreciate, it may be useful to have a spare romper available for emergencies. It may also be useful to have additional items in tow, such as diapers, wipes, or bottles. It may be inconvenient to carry all of these items separately.

SUMMARY

According to certain inventive techniques, a garment that converts into a container includes a trunk, a left arm, and a right arm. The trunk has a front side, a rear side, an upper region, a lower region, a left lateral region, and a right lateral region. The left arm is connected to the trunk. The right arm is also connected to the trunk. At least one connector may be located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk. At least one connector may be located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk. At least one connector may be located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk. At least one connector may be located on the left arm. At least one connector may be located on the right arm. At least one connector may be located in the left lateral region of the trunk. At least one connector may be located in the right lateral region of the trunk. The at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk may be configured to removably engage with the at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk. The at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk may be configured to removably engage with the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk. The at least one connector located on the left arm may be configured to removably engage with the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk. The at least one connector located on the right arm may be configured to removably engage with the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk.

The at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk can be located on a collar on the trunk. All of the connectors may be snap portions (complementary male and female portions). Each of the at least one connector may be two, three, or more connectors. According to one embodiment, the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk is exactly three connectors, the at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk is exactly three connectors, the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk is exactly three connectors, the at least one connector located on the left arm is exactly two connectors, the at least one connector located on the right arm is exactly two connectors, the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk is exactly two connectors, the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk is exactly two connectors.

According to one technique, the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk is a first type of connector, the at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk and the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk is a second type of connector, and the first type of connector is complementary to but different from the second type of connector.

According to one technique, the at least one connector located on the left arm faces inwardly into the left arm and the at least one connector located on the right arm faces inwardly into the right arm. According to another technique, the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk is also located in the rear side of the trunk and the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk is also located in the rear side of the trunk.

According to certain inventive techniques, a method for converting a garment into a container is disclosed. For this method, the garment includes: a trunk including a front side, a rear side, an upper region, a lower region, a left lateral region, and a right lateral region; a left arm connected to the trunk; a right arm connected to the trunk; at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk; at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk; at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk; at least one connector located on the left arm; at least one connector located on the right arm; at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk; and at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk. According to the method, a pouch is formed by: engaging the at least one connector located on the left arm with the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk; and engaging the at least one connector located on the right arm with the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk. The pouch is closed by engaging the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk with the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk. All of the engaged connectors can be readily disengaged without damaging the connectors or the garment.

The at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk can be located on a collar on the trunk. All of the connectors may be snap portions (complementary male and female portions). Each of the at least one connector may be two, three, or more connectors. According to one embodiment, the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk is exactly three connectors, the at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk is exactly three connectors, the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk is exactly three connectors, the at least one connector located on the left arm is exactly two connectors, the at least one connector located on the right arm is exactly two connectors, the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk is exactly two connectors, the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk is exactly two connectors.

According to one technique, the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk is a first type of connector, the at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk and the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk is a second type of connector, and the first type of connector is complementary to but different from the second type of connector.

According to one technique, the at least one connector located on the left arm faces inwardly into the left arm and the at least one connector located on the right arm faces inwardly into the right arm. According to another technique, the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk is also located in the rear side of the trunk and the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk is also located in the rear side of the trunk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a romper that converts into a container, according to certain inventive techniques.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain techniques of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, certain techniques are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the claims are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. Furthermore, the appearance shown in the drawings is one of many ornamental appearances that can be employed to achieve the stated functions of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive techniques discussed below solve the aforementioned problems discussed in the “background” section. Specifically, a baby romper has additional connectors that allow the parent or caretaker to use it as both a garment and as a container that can conveniently carry diapers, wipes, bottles, or the like. Such connectors may be snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons and slits, zippers, magnets, or the like. Snaps are primarily disclosed, but other types of connectors could be readily substituted. The connectors may be substantially permanently attached to the garment, as snaps or buttons generally would be. The connectors may be attached to the garment along the seams, as generally shown in the figures. Such connectors can be readily engaged and disengaged by a user with a sufficient amount of manually applied force. Such engagement and disengagement will not result in destruction of the connectors or garment.

FIG. 1 illustrates a toddler wearing an inventive garment 100. While this application primarily discusses and illustrates a baby romper, the inventive techniques disclosed herein are similarly applicable to other types of garments, such as one-piece jump suits for any age wearer.

FIG. 2 discloses a rear view of the garment 100. Occluded portions of the garment 100 that are visible only from the front are illustrated with broken lines. Similar to a conventional romper, the garment includes a trunk, a left sleeve connected (e.g., stitched) to the trunk, and a right sleeve connected (e.g., stitched) to the trunk. There may be at least one connector 106 (e.g., two or three male snap portions) located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk (e.g., front crotch flap) and at least one complementary connector 107 (e.g., two or three female snap portions) located in the lower region rear side of the trunk (e.g., rear crotch flap). The connector(s) 106 may readily engage/disengage with the connector(s) 107. If there are more than one connector for each of connectors 106 and 107, the spacing and orientation between such connectors may be substantially the same. This type of arrangement is shown in the drawings, where three connectors 106 have substantially the same orientation and spacing as the three connectors 107.

The inventive garment 100 may also include at least one connector 102 (e.g., two or three female snap portions) located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk (e.g., the front collar as depicted). The connector(s) 102 may readily engage/disengage with the connector(s) 106. If there are more than one connector for each of connectors 102 and 106, the spacing and orientation between such connectors may be substantially the same. This type of arrangement is shown in the drawings, where three connectors 102 have substantially the same orientation and spacing as the three connectors 106.

The romper 100 may include: at least one connector 103 (e.g., two female snap portions) located on the left arm; at least one connector 101 (e.g., two female snap portions) located on the right arm; at least one connector 105 (e.g., two male snap portions) located on a left lateral region of the trunk; at least one connector 104 (e.g., two male snap portions) located on a left lateral region of the trunk. The connector(s) 103 may readily engage/disengage with the connector(s) 105. The connector(s) 101 readily engage/disengage with the connector(s) 104.

The connectors 103 and 101 may face inwardly into the left and right arms as depicted, although outwardly facing connectors are also contemplated. The connectors 103 and 101 may also be on the front side of the sleeves, even if still facing inwardly (as depicted). The connectors 103 and 101 may also be on the rear side of the sleeves (facing either inwardly or outwardly). If inwardly-facing, the connectors may be female snap portions to improve comfort of the wearer (as compared to male snap portions with potentially uncomfortable protrusions). Similarly, connector(s) 102 may also be female snap portions.

The connectors 104 and/or 105 may be on the rear side of the trunk (as shown), front side of the trunk, or exactly on the side of the trunk (e.g., along a seam connecting the front side and rear side of the trunk, which is not shown).

If there are more than one connector for each of connectors 101 and 104, the spacing and orientation between such connectors may be substantially the same. This type of arrangement is shown in the drawings, where two connectors 101 have substantially the same orientation and spacing as the two connectors 104. Note, because the connectors 101 are shown on a piece of curved fabric as opposed to the flat fabric upon which connectors 104 are shown, they appear to be closer together. If, however, the fabric on which connectors 101 are attached is flattened, the spacing between the two connectors 101 would be substantially the same as that between the two connectors 104.

If there are more than one connector for each of connectors 103 and 105, the spacing and orientation between such connectors may be substantially the same. This type of arrangement is shown in the drawings, where two connectors 103 have substantially the same orientation and spacing as the two connectors 105. Note, because the connectors 103 are shown on a piece of curved fabric as opposed to the flat fabric upon which connectors 105 are shown, they appear to be closer together. If, however, the fabric on which connectors 103 are attached is flattened, the spacing between the two connectors 103 would be substantially the same as that between the two connectors 105.

Transformation of the garment 100 into a container is generally depicted in FIGS. 2-8. In the first phase of transformation, a pouch is formed by engaging the connector(s) 103 with the connector(s) 105 and engaging the connector(s) 101 with the connector(s) 104. This is generally shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (although connectors 104 and 105 are obscured from view). Once the pouch is formed, one or more items (e.g., diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.) can be inserted into the pouch, as shown in FIG. 5.

In the second phase, the pouch is closed to finish the container, as shown in FIGS. 6-8. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower region of the rear side of the trunk (with connector(s) 107) is tucked into the pouch, thereby covering the inserted item(s). The lower region of the front side of the trunk (with connector(s) 106) is then folded over the lower region of the rear side of the trunk and inserted into the neck hole of the trunk. The connector(s) 102 are then engaged with the connector(s) 106 to secure the top of the container. This can generally be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, although in FIG. 8, the connector(s) 106 are obscured from view because they are inside the neck hole of the trunk and connected to connector(s) 102.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the novel techniques disclosed in this application. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the novel techniques without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the novel techniques not be limited to the particular techniques disclosed, but that they will include all techniques falling within the scope of the appended claims and suitable amendments thereto. 

1. A garment that converts into a container, wherein the garment comprises: a trunk including a front side, a rear side, an upper region, a lower region, a left lateral region, and a right lateral region; a left arm connected to the trunk; a right arm connected to the trunk; at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk; at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk; at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk; at least one connector located on the left arm; at least one connector located on the right arm; at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk; at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk; wherein: the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk is configured to engage with the at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk; the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk is configured to engage with the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk; the at least one connector located on the left arm is configured to engage with the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk; the at least one connector located on the right arm is configured to engage with the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk; and all of the engaged connectors can be readily disengaged without damaging the connectors or the garment.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk is located on a collar on the trunk.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein all of the connectors are snap portions.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein: the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk comprises at least two connectors; the at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk comprises at least two connectors; the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk comprises at least two connectors; the at least one connector located on the left arm comprises at least two connectors; the at least one connector located on the right arm comprises at least two connectors; the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk comprises at least two connectors; and the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk comprises at least two connectors.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein: the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk comprises exactly three connectors; the at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk comprises exactly three connectors; the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk comprises exactly three connectors; the at least one connector located on the left arm comprises exactly two connectors; the at least one connector located on the right arm comprises exactly two connectors; the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk comprises exactly two connectors; and the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk comprises exactly two connectors.
 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein: the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk comprises a first type of connector; the at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk and the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk comprise a second type of connector; the first type of connector is complementary to but different from the second type of connector.
 7. The garment of claim 1, wherein: the at least one connector located on the left arm faces inwardly into the left arm; and the at least one connector located on the right arm faces inwardly into the right arm.
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein: the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk is also located in the rear side of the trunk; and the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk is also located in the rear side of the trunk.
 9. A method for converting a garment into a container, wherein the garment comprises a trunk including a front side, a rear side, an upper region, a lower region, a left lateral region, and a right lateral region; a left arm connected to the trunk; a right arm connected to the trunk; at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk; at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk; at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk; at least one connector located on the left arm; at least one connector located on the right arm; at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk; at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk, and wherein the method comprises: forming a pouch by: engaging the at least one connector located on the left arm with the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk; engaging the at least one connector located on the right arm with the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk; and closing the pouch by engaging the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk with the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk, wherein all of the engaged connectors can be readily disengaged without damaging the connectors or the garment.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk is located on a collar on the trunk.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein all of the connectors are snap portions.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein: the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk comprises at least two connectors; the at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk comprises at least two connectors; the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk comprises at least two connectors; the at least one connector located on the left arm comprises at least two connectors; the at least one connector located on the right arm comprises at least two connectors; the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk comprises at least two connectors; and the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk comprises at least two connectors.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein: the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk comprises exactly three connectors; the at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk comprises exactly three connectors; the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk comprises exactly three connectors; the at least one connector located on the left arm comprises exactly two connectors; the at least one connector located on the right arm comprises exactly two connectors; the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk comprises exactly two connectors; and the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk comprises exactly two connectors.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein: the at least one connector located in the lower region of the front side of the trunk comprises a first type of connector; the at least one connector located in the lower region of the rear side of the trunk and the at least one connector located in the upper region of the front side of the trunk comprise a second type of connector; the first type of connector is complementary to but different from the second type of connector.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein: the at least one connector located on the left arm faces inwardly into the left arm; and the at least one connector located on the right arm faces inwardly into the right arm.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein: the at least one connector located in the left lateral region of the trunk is also located in the rear side of the trunk; and the at least one connector located in the right lateral region of the trunk is also located in the rear side of the trunk. 